Farsighted & Nearsighted Surgery and more

Clear Advantage Vision Correction Center was the first practice in NH offering the FDA approved Crystalens ®, a revolutionary accommodating IOL that corrects nearsighted and farsighted vision.

Why Crystalens?

After a certain age (usually in our 40's) patients who previously required only glasses or contact lenses for distance, begin to experience difficulty with near vision. This is part of the normal aging process. As we age, our own human crystalline lens loses the ability to accommodate (change focus from near, intermediate, and distance). This is called presbyopia.

Although LASIK can satisfy the need for distance vision glasses, patients over 45 still require reading glasses for intermediate (computer distance) and near vision. Now there is Crystalens. The Crystalens procedure corrects near, intermediate and distance vision. Dr. Peters is currently implanting the Crystalens on patients with cataracts and patients over the age of 45 without cataracts who desire good uncorrected vision at all ranges. Crystalens is the only FDA approved accommodating lens for cataracts and/or patients with multiple visual deficiencies.

Lucille Russo

“The staff spent over an hour and a half with me, and were very thorough and friendly. They made me feel very comfortable and answered all my questions.”

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How does it work?

The Crystalens is designed to mimic the eye's natural process of accommodation. Near and intermediate vision result from the action of the focusing muscle in the eye, called the ciliary muscle. This muscle changes the power and thus the focus of the natural lens. This enables the eye to automatically focus to provide distance, intermediate, and near vision. As we age, the natural lens hardens and cannot bend to allow this range of vision. If the lens becomes "cloudy" in addition to hardening, then the patient not only has presbyopia, but also has cataracts. The Crystalens is the only lens implant that has flexible hinges that allow it to bend with the ciliary muscle to imitate the way a patient's natural lens used to bend when they were younger.

In the Crystalens procedure, the surgeon replaces the human crystalline lens with an Eyeonics Crystalens accommodating intraocular lens implant. This surgery is similar to standard cataract surgery (cataracts are part of the natural aging process and generally require surgical removal after age 60). In addition to patients with cataracts seeking an upgrade from the traditional lens replacement, the Crystalens vision correction procedure can also be performed on patients who do not yet have cataracts, but desire the possibility of clear, seamless vision at all distances.

After the Crystalens procedure, patients may not require standard cataract surgery in the future and will be able to focus seamlessly near, far and in between, the way the eye's natural lens did when we were young. We can correct distance vision and also restore near and intermediate vision to the way nature intended, reducing and often eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. This is the most complete answer for presbyopia.

John Poirier

“The staff assured me Dr. Peters would calmly walk me through this. He did! I was very impressed with the entire experience!”

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FDA clinical study results with Crystalens:

• 100% of patients with the Crystalens in both eyes could pass a driver's test without glasses.
• 100% could see 24" to 30" - the distance for most of life's activities.
• 98.4% could read NYSE quotes in the paper.
• 96% could see 20/20 at arms length.
• All without glasses or contact lenses!

If I have a visually significant cataract, can any portion of the Crystalens be covered through my insurance provider or medicare?

Insurance coverage varies greatly from policy to policy and state to state. Generally speaking, private insurance usually covers the cataract surgical procedure and anesthesia. An additional amount may also be allowed for the artificial lens implant. The insured patient is then required to pay a deductible as well as the fee for the upgrade to the Crystalens implant. Additionally, as of May 10, 2005, Medicare approved the Crystalens for private purchase by Medicare patients. Please contact your surgical coordinator to review your insurance coverage and your surgical alternatives prior to your cataract surgery. You may also consider contacting your insurance provider directly.

What Should I Expect After Surgery?

Visual recovery is usually rapid. In most cases patients are able to see well enough to perform regular activities within minutes after surgery, but most patients elect to rest that day. Common side effects may include blurry vision, increased light sensitivity, and drier eyes. In the first four to six weeks after the surgery minor changes in focusing occur. If the final visual result is not ideal, a second procedure to replace the lens is possible. Alternatively, a laser enhancement procedure may be performed to "fine-tune" the result. Rare, but possible complications are discussed with all of our patients during their refractive assessment appointment.

Detailed information and product detail can also be found at www.crystalens.com or by contacting Clear Advantage using the response mechanism on this web site or calling toll free at 1-866-30-CLEAR.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crystalens